What is the preferred or best way to store a set of tires? I plan on keeping a set of reproduction Goodyear bias ply tires in my cellar where they will not be exposed to any sunlight. The cellar is also ventilated and not a lot of moisture accumulates even in the winter. Is it best to store them upright not touching each other like they commonly do in tire stores? Should they be rotated every so often? Is it better to store them mounted on wheels than not mounted? And if so, how is the best way to store the wheel-tire combination? Stacked, upright, etc.? Thank you.

I stored two sets of Goodyear originals, one set for 20 plus years, stacked flat (first tire on wood), separated by a single layer of plastic to keep the carbon black from penetrating the white letters. Light coat of protectant on the tires, otherwise they sat in one spot for all that time in a frame garage, not climate controlled, and were dry-rot and check free when I sold them a couple of years back. If you store them for a long length of time upright, they'll probably flat spot (my B.F. Goodrich T/A's were terrible after 19 years in the same spot, no dry rot amazingly, but were quite square). The Goodboots were not mounted; the T/A's were on my LS5 Chevelle, sold in 2011. BTW - the T/A's did not rot, either, but I sure wouldn't have run them on the street - felt like a Shriner's clown car when I pulled it out of storage.

UV kills tires. I have all 5 "born with " tires for the Z with no sign of dry rot ,however 4:88's and a heavy right foot have left less than desirable tread. They were on the rims but off the car since 69-70. In 90 I wanted the rally's back on and had radials mounted. Those are still on and display no rot. Also my slicks are still in VGC. My spare had a tire cover on it and had not been uncovered since 76. Sidewalls look new but signs it had been used in tire rotation. (anybody still remember when the spare was integrated in ) I used no treatment or special way of storage other than keeping them stored in the attic. Dry and sunlight free. We have a large set of wrinkle walls on the Anglia ,and I always keep the rear off the ground enough to relieve sidewall pressure while being stored---off the thread but something to keep in mind for those who might be running a street slick ,which have softer sidewalls.

UV kills tires. I have all 5 "born with " tires for the Z with no sign of dry rot ,however 4:88's and a heavy right foot have left less than desirable tread. They were on the rims but off the car since 69-70. In 90 I wanted the rally's back on and had radials mounted. Those are still on and display no rot. Also my slicks are still in VGC. My spare had a tire cover on it and had not been uncovered since 76. Sidewalls look new but signs it had been used in tire rotation. (anybody still remember when the spare was integrated in ) I used no treatment or special way of storage other than keeping them stored in the attic. Dry and sunlight free. We have a large set of wrinkle walls on the Anglia ,and I always keep the rear off the ground enough to relieve sidewall pressure while being stored---off the thread but something to keep in mind for those who might be running a street slick ,which have softer sidewalls.

I remember that time very well, Jano.. but I was too *poor* for a five tire rotation, meaning that when they wore out, they ALL were worn out, so you had to buy five tires (or buy four and keep the 'best' of the worn ones for your spare). I followed the alternative, which meant I didn't use the spare, until the original four tires wore out, then I bought only THREE new ones, and used the original spare for the 4th, and used the best of the worn tires for the spare. It minimized how much the poor airman and/or student had to shell out for new tires in one whack!! and I typically traded in the car before the 3rd set was needed...

PS. and you are right it's the UV rays that kill tires and other rubber/vinyl items. The only improvement I'd suggest to the original poster re 'keeping tires for a long time' in storage, would be to put each of them into a large black garbage bag and seal it up, and then store it in the dark place (basements are good and where I keep mine).

If you ever walk through the pits at the drags and wondered why everyone has their rear slicks covered ,that's the reason. UV protection. Thin sidewalls made to "wrinkle" Tire pressure fluctuation is not the reason being it's checked one final time before staging. I do anyway.

And to add yes ,cannot hurt to cover those tires up in storage. Good point.

I agree with storing them horizontal. I have had a couple of older original motorcycle tires for Sporters and Triumphs, and I could always tell the ones that were stored upright because they would end up having a flat spot. You think it is noticeable on a car, man try putting a tire with a flat spot on a motorcycle! I have a few sets of original tires for various vehicles and when I have stored them for longer periods of time horizontal is the way to go, piece of wood on the floor first sounds like a good idea, also the bags over them another good idea.

I think what creates the greater flat spots is having the weight of the vehicle on them. I don't think the weight of the tire, or tire/rim combo will do that much damage if properly inflated. Myself, I prefer laying flat with cardboard in between.